Flora Urban

Flora A. Urban ZANESVILLE -- Flora Avera Urban, 84, died Dec. 6 at Genesis-Good Samaritan Hospital where she had been a patient since Nov. 2. Mrs. Urban was known for her quiet wisdom, compassion and steadfast care for her husband, family, friends and community. Born March 31, 1921, in Winston-Salem, N.C., to the late John and Mildred Avera, she graduated from Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1942 and earned her degree as a registered dietitian from Cook County Hospital, Chicago. She began work in 1944 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where she met her late husband of 57 years, Dr. Donald A. Urban. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Frances Bray Circle, the All-Around Club, the Green Thumb Garden Club, the Assembly Club and The Zanesville Country Club, the Bethesda Guild and had served as president of the Medical Auxiliary. She was on the board of directors of Helen Purcell Home and the Day Nursery. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Urban was preceded in death by a brother, John Avera of Knoxville, Tenn.; an infant grandson, Logan Davis of Columbus; and a sister-in-law Betty Riggs of Zanesville. She is survived by three children and five grandchildren: daughter Lelia Elizabeth Patterson (Michael) of Alliance, Ohio, and her daughter Katherine Adaire Wollam of Minerva, and son Benjamin Avera Patterson of Athens, Ohio; daughter Flora Caroline Davis (David) and her son Jacob. L. Davis of Columbus; and son Donald Avera Urban, M.D., (Leslie J. Patterson) and his daughters Emily Faye Urban and Elizabeth Watkins Urban of Birmingham, Ala.. One sister, Mildred Avera of Columbus, Ohio; and four brothers, William Avera (Joan) of Blue Bell, Pa., Charles Avera (Marion) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Joseph Conrad Avera (Theresa) of Jasper, Tenn., and Talcott Avera (Monta) of Columbia, S.C. A memorial service is scheduled 1 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2005, at Grace United Methodist Church, 516 Shinnick Street, Zanesville, with the Rev. James Sands. Calling hours at the church are one hour prior to the service. A short grave side service at St. Paul's Cemetery, Sonora, Ohio, will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to support health care education in the community may be made to the Muskingum County Community Foundation (www.mccf.org), 534 Putnam Ave., Zanesville, Ohio 43701, or to a charity of one's choice. Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville is entrusted with all arrangements.